Download Article
Download Article
Pumice, a volcanic rock formation, can be used to smooth and soften your feet. Use a pumice stone to slough away dead skin and reduce corns and calluses. Pumice powder can be used to make indulgent foot scrubs to treat your feet with. Use pumice treatments several times a week to keep your feet healthy and beautiful!
Steps
-
Soak your feet. Fill a basin or tub with warm water and add half a cup of Epsom salt (available at pharmacies), then stir to dissolve. Soak your feet for 20 minutes. Remove your feet from the tub.
-
Scrub your feet with a pumice stone. Wet a pumice stone with clean water. Rub the corns, calluses, and dry skin on your feet back and forth. Use gentle pressure to avoid irritation. [1] X Research source
- As long as you're gentle and you soak your feet first, pumice stones are easy and safe to use. [2] X Research source Catherine Cheung, DPM. Podiatrist. Personal interview. 12 May 2020.
Advertisement -
Rinse and repeat the process. Rinse your feet every 1-2 minutes to wash away dead skin. Continue scrubbing gently until your feet are smooth. Rinse and pat your feet dry with a clean towel. [3] X Research source
-
Use a pumice stone one to three times a week. To maintain soft, smooth feet, use a pumice stone on your feet between one and three times a week. If you don't have the time to soak your feet regularly, use the pumice stone after showering when your skin is softest. Rub your feet with the pumice stone for a few minutes each time and always use gentle, circular movements. [4] X Research source
-
Keep your pumice stone clean. Be sure to rinse your pumice stone thoroughly after every use. Clean it after every 3 or 4 uses by scrubbing it with an old toothbrush and an antibacterial liquid soap. Rinse it and allow it to air dry. [5] X Research source
- To give your pumice stone a more intense cleaning, boil it in a mixture of 4 cups of water and 2 tbsp. of bleach or vinegar.
-
Avoid sharing your pumice stone. Pumice stones should never be shared as they can spread fungus or strains of HPV that cause plantar warts. Avoid sharing a pumice stone with family members, as even one use can lead to the transmission of such foot ailments. Store your pumice stone somewhere outside of the shower or bathroom to ensure that no other members of your household use it. [6] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Purchase pumice powder. Pumice powder is made from a kind of igneous rock that forms after a volcano erupts. the powder is used as an exfoliating element in beauty products, but can also be found as an additive in cement, heavy duty cleaners, and herbal medicine. To ensure that you get the right grade of pumice powder, purchase it from a beauty supply store, or online. [7] X Research source
-
Mix pumice powder with other ingredients to make a foot scrub. Making a homemade foot scrub means customizing it to your needs and preferences. Experiment with ingredients that smell great and have foot-pampering properties. Some ideal choices are:
- Tea tree oil
- Honey
- Lavender oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Coconut oil
- Shea butter
-
Make a cranberry seed pumice scrub, for instance. In a medium-sized bowl, combine 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup each of pumice powder, extra fine epsom salt, and cranberry seeds. Add 2 ml (0.4 tsp) of peppermint oil and mix the ingredients together with gloved hands. Transfer your foot scrub to a jar to store it for use. [8] X Research source
- If stored in a cool, dry place the scrub should last 1-2 years.
-
Use the scrub on your feet. Apply the scrub generously to your feet. Massage it into the skin of your feet in circular motions for several minutes. Rinse and dry your feet, then apply lotion if desired. [9] X Research source
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search
-
QuestionDo you have any safety tips if I wanted to pumice and soften my feet?Dr. Catherine Cheung is a double board-certified Podiatrist based in San Francisco, California. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Cheung specializes in all aspects of foot and ankle care, including complex reconstruction, injury treatment, custom orthotics, bunion surgery, and all general foot and ankle issues. Dr. Cheung is affiliated with the Brown & Toland Physicians and the Sutter Medical Network. She received her BS from UCLA. She earned a DPM from the California College of Podiatric Medicine, completed her residency at the Encino Tarzana Medical Center, and completed a fellowship at the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center. She is double board-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive/Ankle Surgery.Pumice stones are usually easy and safe as long as you're gentle and you soak your feet in water first. However, avoid any of the sharp files that look like little knives, and see a professional if you have diabetes, nerve issues, or neuropathy.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Warnings
- Avoid using foot files with sharp edges on your feet. [10] X Research source Catherine Cheung, DPM. Podiatrist. Personal interview. 12 May 2020.Thanks
- If you have medical issues like diabetes, neuropathy, or nerve issues, see a professional for your foot care. [11] X Research source Catherine Cheung, DPM. Podiatrist. Personal interview. 12 May 2020.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://remedygrove.com/remedies/How-To-Get-Rid-Of-Corns-From-Feet-Fast-And-Naturally-Home-Remedies
- ↑ Catherine Cheung, DPM. Podiatrist. Personal interview. 12 May 2020.
- ↑ https://remedygrove.com/remedies/How-To-Get-Rid-Of-Corns-From-Feet-Fast-And-Naturally-Home-Remedies
- ↑ https://beauty.onehowto.com/article/how-to-use-a-pumice-stone-3210.html
- ↑ http://www.youbeauty.com/beauty/how-to-clean-skincare-tools/
- ↑ https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/foot/pedicure-safety
- ↑ http://sciencing.com/pumice-powder-used-for-5900703.html
- ↑ https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soaks-and-scrubs/happy-feet-soak-scrub-tutorials/
- ↑ http://homeremediesforlife.com/cracked-heels/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
Pumicing your feet is a great way to smooth your skin and reduce corns and calluses. Before you use a pumice stone, soak your feet in a tub of warm water with 1/2 cup of Epsom salt for 20 minutes to soften your skin. After you’ve soaked your feet, wet a pumice stone with clean water and use gentle pressure to rub the bottom of your feet with it. Rinse your feet every couple of minutes to wash away dead skin. Keep scrubbing your feet until they’re smooth. You can use a pumice stone 1-3 times a week to maintain healthy skin. To learn how to make a pumice scrub powder, read on!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 79,142 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I had a pumice stone and I didn't know what it was for until I read this article."
Advertisement
92%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"I had a pumice stone and I didn't know what it was for until I read this article."
